Danny Simpson says he owes former QPR boss Harry Redknapp a debt of gratitude for telling him he wasn’t wanted at Loftus Road.

Simpson played an integral part in QPR’s promotion back to the Premier League in 2014, but at the start of the next season he was told he was surplus to requirements by Redknapp and joined City on transfer deadline day.

After having to bide his time under Nigel Pearson, Simpson then broke through to become a regular at right-back under Claudio Ranieri and has enjoyed incredible success, winning the Premier League title and playing in the Champions League.

Simpson made his 100th appearance for City in the 1-1 draw with West Brom on Monday night and he admits it has been an eventful time since Redknapp showed him the door. “It was end of deadline day and an opportunity came about,” he said.

Craig Shakespeare makes a double change to try to change the game in the match against West Brom last night. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

“Harry Redknapp was the manager and I had played every game for them but he was like, ‘I don’t want you, you can go’.

“So thanks to him because everything has worked out well for me in the end.

“I had a point to prove. Ritchie De Laet was in the team and he had been the right-back for a few seasons, I think. I had to work hard to get into the team.

“But I kind of grew up as well, with the players here and the staff. They have been top class for me.